Student Handout

"Candidates' Candid Views on Religion""

Note to Students: In your small group, compare and contrast Sen. Barack Obama's and President John F. Kennedy's position on the role of religion in U.S. elections by completing this chart. Use the statements that you underlined in your article to guide you in this exercise.

Kennedy

Obama

Time period of the document. Why is the candidate writing his piece?

View on separation of church and state. Provide evidence from the text.

Appropriate role of a candidate's beliefs in an election. Provide evidence from the text.

Point #1: Appropriate role of a candidate's beliefs in an election. Provide evidence from the text.

Point #2: Appropriate role of a candidate's beliefs in an election. Provide evidence from the text.

Point #3: Appropriate role of a candidate's beliefs in an election. Provide evidence from the text.

After completing this chart, discuss why you think Obama's and Kennedy's view differs on the role of candidates' religion in election.